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Original poster

Head lice - what to use and can school sort it at all?

115 replies

lulann · 10/05/2024 23:41

Found out today from school there are cases of headlice. First time.

DD 7 was at a friends house for tea until 7.30pm. When dd was at home and in bed she was scratching. Yes it looks like she may have them although I could only see 2 I think.
Of course I am now scratching.

What treatment should I get tomorrow? There are so many!
Do I have to get a shampoo?
Combs that 'zap' them dead or combs that remove lice AND eggs??
DD has several food allergies and I expect in the future will react to hair dye like I do (so cannot use).
Any suggestions?

Also can school make sure all kids are treated, is that allowed? I'm wary we'll get rid of them and she will then re catch all over again.

School haven't said which year group (primary) but they all mix in the huge playground anyway.

OP posts:
CaraDeLaVagine · 11/05/2024 00:15

Oh and you'll be told stuff like vodka, kerosene, mayonnaise, mouthwash etc work too.
I wouldn't.
The only exception was using olive oil and a comb - that got loads out. The downside is washing hair afterwards. Shampoo only/washing up liquid not great but necessary if using any greasy concoction.

Different folks will recommend different products. I've used them all. No special preference. I quite liked the hedrin mousse they used to do as it was less greasy. Depends on thickness of hair. Full marks, vamousse, lyclear much of a muchness.
So Home Bargains for me now as cheaper.
Hedrin mango is a lovely preventative once clear.
Regular routine conditioner comb best way to keep clear mind and hair up. Tea tree spray helps too.

Hadalifeonce · 11/05/2024 00:12

DD used to get them a lot. I used to use conditioner and a nit comb every other night, I sent a note to parents at the school with info about nits and lice, and tips to get rid of them. Once all the parents were treating their children there was a massive reduction.

CaraDeLaVagine · 11/05/2024 00:09

Which one purple? I'm yet to find one that was worth the £25.

Purplebunnie · 11/05/2024 00:08

We found that using the nit comb that zapped them every Sunday night helped us keep on top of new infestations

CaraDeLaVagine · 11/05/2024 00:07

Zap combs sound great on paper but won't work on thick hair and are often duds.
Hair dye just dyes the lice, won't off them.
If you can afford it, and are near any, a headlice salon would spare you all the pain.
They'll hoover them out.
Professional Head Lice Treatment | The Hairforce (hairforceclinics.com)

CaraDeLaVagine · 11/05/2024 00:03

Longer version but effective.

Nit comb - everyone swears by nitty gritty but I have used others too.
Slather on conditioner. Comb and wipe onto kitchen towel.
You should see life cycle of what you are dealing with.
Black pepper tiny dots - brand new
Different sizes - older infestation
Adult headlice - you'll be combing a while every few days to clear all nits.
Hairdrier and straighteners work wonders.

mollyfolk · 11/05/2024 00:00

Unfortunately there will always be a % of children who have nits in a school. We’ve had them a few times. If a child has a constant nit issue the school do seem to have a word in my experience.

CaraDeLaVagine · 11/05/2024 00:00

It's a nightmare, expensive and some are becoming resistant to certain shampoos.
However, Home Bargains have a leave-in, wash-out hedrin oil that you leave on overnight for only £1.99 each bottle. Shampoo caps 99p.
Do that. Wash out.
Repeat in two weeks then four weeks.

Vosene for normal shampooing. Tea tree conditioner.
Hair plaited or in bunches/bun.

That's the lazy mare version but might need several applications.

Halfemptyhalfling · 10/05/2024 23:59

You can get natural strong smelling shampoo and conditioner for them. Conditioner on then comb through with a nitcomb until you can't find any more. Repeat twice a week

JenniferBooth · 10/05/2024 23:56

Linearforeignbody · 10/05/2024 23:48

Comb hair daily with conditioner until they are all gone.
It’s a common thing and part of being a child. Adults don’t get infested because our immune systems keep them at bay.
Its not the school’s responsibility.

My niece is a 29 year old TA and she caught it. She lives with my 88 year old DM who has osteoporosis and refuses help to be bathed or hair brushed etc so would be a fucking nightmare if she caught it. I now put hairspray on when i go round there just in case.

Original poster
lulann · 10/05/2024 23:53

I'm coming from the angle of school maybe having a word with parents of children who are seen scratching or would this get the school in trouble?

What happens if some children are never treated would they have to do something then?

I'm worried I'll be treating DD every week and it will make her scalp react.

OP posts:
Linearforeignbody · 10/05/2024 23:48

Comb hair daily with conditioner until they are all gone.
It’s a common thing and part of being a child. Adults don’t get infested because our immune systems keep them at bay.
Its not the school’s responsibility.

Garman · 10/05/2024 23:44

How do you think school can do anything about it?

Zonder · 10/05/2024 23:44

There was a whole thread about this recently, with the OP basically wanting school to take responsibility. Not school's problem.

VioletPickles · 10/05/2024 23:43

School wont do anything apart from inform parents to check their children. I use the Heston treatment and a nitty gritty comb. And tons of cheap conditioner to comb it through